It was thus necessary to act without delay, while awaiting the appearance of Jackson.

General Lee, accordingly, directed General Longstreet, who had taken position to the right of Cold Harbor, to make a feint against the Federal left, and thus relieve the pressure on Hill.

Longstreet proceeded with promptness to obey the order; advanced in face of a heavy fire, and with a cross-fire of artillery raking his right from over the Chickahominy, and made the feint which had been ordered by General Lee.

It effected nothing; and, to attain the desired result, it was found necessary to turn the feint into a real attack.

This Longstreet proceeded to do, first dispersing with a single volley a force of cavalry which had the temerity to charge his infantry.